as we prepared

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as we prepared" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate actions or thoughts occurring during the process of getting ready for something. Example: "As we prepared for the presentation, we reviewed our notes and practiced our delivery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

As we prepared to leave, the son spoke again.

The New York Times - Magazine

As we prepared to leave, instructions came to stay put.

The Guardian

We were salivating as we prepared our shopping list.

The New York Times

Our base roared to life as we prepared to capture him.

The New York Times

Real angels and real demons hovered about us as we prepared to wage these wars.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, things started to go a little awry as we prepared to pay up.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We're kinda breaking one of our rules," he said, as we prepared to drive out of the parking lot.

The New Yorker

They stood next to me as we prepared to leave, being sure I felt their ominous bulk.

The New York Times - Magazine

As we prepared for the blizzard outside, Mr Blair was the new Captain Gloats: "Gentlemen, I am staying here.

The Guardian

As we prepared visuals, I was reminded of one of the most stylish photographers of the twentieth century, Erwin Blumenfeld.

The New Yorker

As we prepared to return to London, Dr. Rao chided us: "Why are you going to London?

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as we prepared" to clearly indicate that the actions described occurred during the process of getting ready for a specific event or activity. It adds temporal context to the narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "as we prepared" in contexts where the preparation is already implied or obvious. For example, avoid phrases like "as we prepared to prepare", which are unnecessarily redundant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as we prepared" functions as an adverbial clause of time, modifying the main clause by indicating when the action in the main clause occurred. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, where it consistently introduces a temporal context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0.5%

Encyclopedias

0.3%

Wiki

0.2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as we prepared" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate that an action took place during the process of getting ready for something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and provides numerous examples across various contexts, primarily in News & Media. While versatile, it's best used to provide clear temporal context and avoid redundancy. Alternatives like "while we were preparing" or "during our preparations" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. "As we prepared" functions as an adverbial clause of time, serving to provide background information and set the scene.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

while we were preparing

Replaces "as" with "while", emphasizing the simultaneous action of preparing.

as we got ready

Similar to "as we prepared" but uses a simpler verb phrase.

during our preparations

Uses a noun phrase to describe the time of preparing.

in preparation for

Highlights the purpose of the actions taken.

in advance of

Highlights that the preparation happened before the event.

in anticipation of

Focuses on the expectation or anticipation of the event being prepared for.

getting ready for

A more informal way of saying "preparing for".

while making arrangements

Focuses on the organizational aspect of preparing.

leading up to

Emphasizes the time leading to an event.

as we organized ourselves

Focuses on the act of organizing as part of preparation.

FAQs

What does "as we prepared" mean?

The phrase "as we prepared" means 'during the time when we were getting ready' for something. It indicates that an action or event occurred while preparations were underway.

How can I use "as we prepared" in a sentence?

You can use "as we prepared" to set the scene or provide context for an action. For example, "As we prepared for the journey, we checked our supplies carefully."

What can I say instead of "as we prepared"?

You can use alternatives like "while we were preparing", "during our preparations", or "in preparation for" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "as we prepare" instead of "as we prepared"?

While both are grammatically correct, "as we prepare" implies an ongoing or future action, while "as we prepared" refers to a completed action in the past. The choice depends on the intended tense and timing of the sentence.